Solihull Moors: Player Spotlight

This Saturday FC Halifax Town, still unbeaten under Jamie Fullarton will host Solihull Moors as the Midlands club look to finally escape from the relegation zone.

One man that will be hoping he can help his side in avoiding the drop will be club captain Darren Carter.

The central midfielder joined his hometown club back in 2017 and has been a key figure in the side this season. With former star striker Oladapo Afolayan now at Premier league club West Ham United, Carter is the club’s top scorer still playing for Solihull this season.

The 34-year-old is a very experienced player and a key man in the middle of the park for Mark Yates’ side. The man who helped Forest Green Rovers to promotion to League 2 in 2016/17 has played at all different levels throughout his prestigious career.

He started his career at another midlands club, Birmingham City and made his debut as an 18-year-old against rival club West Brom Albion in a 1-0 win. He went on to play 45 games for the Blues and 12 games in the Premiership during the 2002-03 season.

After his loan spell at Sunderland, he was seen as a crucial member of the Birmingham squad after being recalled early from the Black Cats. However, he was sold to West Brom for £1.5 million in July as the manager Bryan Robson rated the youngster very highly. He won the club’s goal of the season award in 2005/06 after a wonder strike against Premier League giants, Arsenal.

He then continued to drop down the leagues with clubs such as Preston, Cheltenham and Northampton. 8 years after leaving West Brom he signed for then non-league club Forest Green Rovers and within two seasons helped them to their first attempt in the Football League. His contract was mutually terminated before the play-off campaign and carter was without a club before the start of the 2017/18 season.

He signed for Solihull Moors at the start of the season and has been a role model for others on the pitch this season. His passing and distribution is one of his key skills as the former Premier league player rarely gives the ball away.

As a highly rated youngster, Carter had the chance to represent his country at youth levels. He stared for England U19’s and U20’s for about a year. He represented England at the U20 2003 Youth World Championship where he was sent off for fouling now 5 time Ballon D’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

FC Halifax Town will have to keep close to the left footed midfielder and not let him spray the ball about the pitch if they want to get the 3 points at the MBI Shay Stadium on Saturday.